Chapter 16

Rikki's POV

"Can you walk Zane?" I asked him.

"I don't know. I might be able to," he said as he tried to get up, but was unsuccessful.

"How the hell am I supposed to get you out of here?"

"Heal me."

"I don't know how Zane. I was unconscious when I healed myself."

Wait. I was a mermaid when I healed him.

"Zane, do you have any water?" I asked him.

"He pointed to a bowl in the corner. What do they think he is? A dog?

I put my hand in the water and ran back to him.

I watched as my legs disappeared and my tail appeared. My tail was completely blue now. Every time I turned into a mermaid, the blue spread.

I took my wet hand and put it on his chest, wishing that he would be healed.

"Why isn't this working?" I screamed.

Zane closed his eyes and became unconscious.

"Don't you dare pass out on me." He wasn't waking up. "Please wake up Zane. I will throw cold water on you. Zane? Zane? Please, please look at me. I love you. I can't live without you. I would be dead in a second if you were gone. I need you. I want to marry you. Just wake up."

I started to cry and my hands became water. I put my hands on his chest and I realized that I can't heal hunger.

When I thought of that, a sandwich appeared next to me. Along with a bright light.

"Rikki," a voice said. My mother's voice.

"Mom? What's going on?" I asked her.

"Your new power doesn't just heal wounds. It will do anything to heal someone, even conjure up a snack."

"Why is my tail blue now?" I asked her.

"Something that I don't think is written in myths about mermaids. When a mermaid finds her true love, her tail changes color. You found you love. You also felt extreme happiness. A mermaid's tail wouldn't change until after she got married, but yours did for some reason," my mom told me.

I took the sandwich and ripped off a piece. I put it in Zane's mouth.

He started to chew it.

"So, Zane is my true love?" I asked her.

"Yes my dear."

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you leave?"

"Like I said before, if I didn't leave, this wouldn't have happened."

"Where are you now?"

"Buried. I was murdered, but I got over it fast when I learned that I get to help you," she told me.

"Murdered? By who?"

"Not now dear. My case was solved. Your dad knew, but didn't want to tell you. I think it was good he didn't tell you. You shouldn't worry about that now. You should worry about Zane and how you will escape. Goodbye my dear. I am so proud of you."

She was gone and the light left with her.

"I love you mom."

I looked at Zane and he was starting to wake up.

He opened his eyes and saw me with a tail.

"Rikki, why is your tail blue?" he asked me.

"Long story."

I dried myself off and my legs came back. I got up and he finished his sandwich. He rose and we walked out of the cell, hand in hand.

We carefully found our way out. Once we were out, we found ourselves on Mako island, right near the above entrance to the moon pool.

"How did we not notice this thing being built?" I asked Zane.

"I don't know. How can they keep Emma hear?" he asked me.

"Emma is here?" I asked him.

"Yes, but we can't go back in. At least not today. The back of your head is bleeding and you need a doctor. So do I."

We walked to the beach and I wondered how I was going to get Zane back to his house.

"I could swim and call Lewis," I said to him.

"You have to. I can't swim like a mermaid." He smiled at me.

"How can you be happy when we just escaped from people who are trying to kill me?" I asked him.

"I'm just happy to see you. Are you mad at me still?"

"Why would I be mad at you? We can't talk about this now. We need to get home. I'll be right back," I said as I dove into the water.

I got to shore and called Lewis. They weren't smart enough to take my phone. I didn't get service anyway.

He rushed over and got into his boat. I dove into the water and he followed me. Once we reached Mako, I saw Zane standing there, playing with something in his pocket.

"Zane!" I yelled as I swam close to me. Lewis reached him and Zane jumped into the boat. I swam back and met them on the beach. I, of course, beat them there.

"Zane took my hand and pulled me all the way to the hospital, where he asked a doctor to check my head and his.

"I feel fine," I told him.

"Your head is bleeding."

"So?"

"The doctor will see you now," a nurse told me. Zane dragged me into the room. I frowned the whole time he checked my head. It turns out that I have a small concussion, but Zane has a bigger concussion. He isn't allowed to sleep for a couple hours.

We walked out of the hospital and I called Cleo. I told her that I was alright and to tell Mr. Bennett that Zane was okay and with me.

"Zane, you are staying with me tonight," I told him.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"I have to make sure you don't fall asleep."

"Anything other reason?"

"I don't want to lose you again."

I kissed him and we walked to my cozy trailer.

We sat on the couch and I snuggled up to him.

"Don't ever get kidnapped again," I said.

"I don't plan to."

I looked at him and asked," What were you playing with in your pocket?"

"What?"

"On the beach you were playing with something in your pocket. I want to know what."

"I don't think you do."

"Yes I do."

"No."

I reached into his pocket and took out a little red, velvet box.

"Is this what I think it is?" I asked him.

"Yeah, but I didn't think you would want it after what happened when I asked. I bought it after, just hoping you would say yes."

"Ask me again," I tell him.

"Really?" I nodded. "Okay. Rikki, I love you and I can't picture my life without you. Will you marry me?"

"I love you with all my heart, but," he looked disappointed. "Did you ask my dad?" I asked him.

"No, not yet."

"You should probably ask him. If he says yes, my answer is the same."

He jumped off the couch and asked me, "Really? You want to marry me?" I nodded. "I thought you were going to say no."

"Why would I say no to the man I love?" I asked him.

"Because the man you love also happens to be an idiotic jerk sometimes."

"Thanks for admitting it! No go ask my dad." He started to walk out the door. "Wait. I'm coming. I can't have you kidnapped again."

We walked to my dad's trailer and Zane knocked on the door. My dad answered and we went inside.

"Hi Dad."

"Hello pumpkin," he said to me. I hugged him and Zane started to talk. I went into my old room and looked at the now bare walls. I used to cover my room with so many posters. You couldn't even see the wall. I miss this home, but I have a new home. One that I plan to share with Zane.

I sat on a chair and heard my dad scream.

Guess Zane asked him if he could marry me.

Thanks for all the great comments! I don't know how many more chapters I plan to write, but I will update frequently. In September, I will update less frequently because I have school. Thank you for faving my first fanfic! Love ya!

-The author